Ease back to school blues with the Taste of Emerald City!

This free event launches Emerald City Theatre’s new 2007/2008 season, which opens with its newest musical adventure, How I Became a Pirate, a stage adaptation of Melinda Long and David Shannon’s award-winning book. The Taste of Emerald City is an event that is fun for the whole family, but is best suited for children ages 3-10. There will be a variety of events for you to enjoy, characters to meet, and an exclusive sneak peak performance of How I Became a Pirate.

No parking will be available at the Apollo Theater for this event because workers are making helpful repairs for all of us and the community around the Apollo Theatre and neighborhood. We apologize in advance for the inconvenience.

Taste of Emerald City Schedule as of 8/24:

Sneak Preview of the world premiere HOW I BECAME A PIRATE
(ages 3+)

Bring your family to a first ever sneak peak at excerpts from this world premiere musical. Join Captain Braid Beard and his pirate crew as they invite Jeremy Jacob and your little pirate to partake in their voyage for buried treasure! Soon Jeremy Jacob learns all about being a pirate. He learns to sing chanteys, throw his food across the table and his manners to the wind. But when Jeremy finds out what pirates don’t do, he discovers he has a little something to teach them.

Character Meet & Greet

Watch your kids light up as they get to interact with their favorite characters from the Land of Oz and their soon to be favorite “matey’s” from How I Became A Pirate.

Workshop from PIRATES AND MERMAIDS Theatre School Class
(ages 3-8)

Kids can join cast members from How I Became a Pirate in a free Pirates & Mermaids workshop. If your child loves to explore life above and below the high seas, they’ll love our swash buckling Pirate and Mermaids class! Actors will embark on a journey with Emerald City, as they develop their very own pirate and mermaid characters.

Happy Feet Tap workshop taught by the CHICAGO HUMAN RHYTHM PROJECT
(ages 5-10)

Get happy with our Happy Feet Tap workshop, the perfect excuse to get your groove on with the whole family. This workshop teaches the fundamentals of tap dance, such as understanding weight transfer and combining basic steps to put together simple rhythm patterns. Give your child an opportunity to have fun, enrich their musicality, and participate in a long-standing tradition of tap dance.

Treasure Hunt, Crafts, and Face Painting
(for all ages)

What little Pirate doesn’t want to find the hidden booty first! Let your child lead you on an adventure through the Apollo with our special treasure hunt! Solve the clues, to collect the letters, to win your prize! Different stations provide the means for each child to express themselves individually and collectively through activities, such as making your own Captains hat or royal crown. You can also get your face painted to show your true pirate colors!

Shiver me timbers! You didn’t think that was all Taste of Emerald City had to offer did you? But we can’t give away all of our secrets just yet… we can tell you that this free event is sure to captivate you and your entire family. We invite you to spend this time with Emerald City and share in the adventure of what’s to come this year. Oh, and don’t get caught hungry in the midst of the high seas of this event, visit our Oz Café for delicious treats like juice, cookies, and kid friendly snacks.

"Taste of Emerald City guarantees to bring together the fun of summer and the excitement of the new school-year in a way your whole family can enjoy”, says Karen Cardarelli, Executive/Artistic Director of Emerald City Theatre Company. “Pirate day in Oz will be filled with performances, theatre workshops, treasure hunts, real pirate booty, and refreshments, so stop by, or make a day of it. Either way, you’ll take away with you unforgettable family fun and shared memories that only the magic of live theatre can offer. We hope to see you there!”

Visit our information table to find out more information about our upcoming season, and the opportunity to purchase tickets to the 2007-2008 season opener, the world premiere of How I Became a Pirate. Subscription information will also be made available. Seize this opportunity to register for enrollment for the upcoming session at the Emerald City Theatre School.

There will be two raffles with fun prizes you can enjoy throughout the year.

Street parking is available. The Apollo is easily accessible by CTA trains and buses. The Fullerton “L” stop (Red, Brown, & Purple lines) is located just south of the theatre. The #8 Halsted, #11 Lincoln, #37 Sedgwick/Ogden, and #74 Fullerton CTA buses all stop at the corner of Fullerton and Halsted, two blocks south of the theatre. See transitchicago.com for times and routes.